The Ladies’ Secrets: A Historical Regency Romance Box Set

by Ayles, Abby

  “Mr. Hunsford and his sister—she is a sweet creature, a pity she is not yet wed—they are new, but I think you shall enjoy their company.

  “Mrs. Hapson, of course. Mr. Hapson has passed, I’m afraid.”

  “I am sorry to hear that.”

  “Yes. She hosts dinner regularly now for everyone, poor thing. Something to distract her.” Edward sighed. “It can’t be easy for her, all alone in that big house.”

  John nodded. The Hapsons had been living in the area for as long as John’s family. “We shall attend the dinner, providing we are invited.”

  “Oh, you certainly will be. Mrs. Hapson will be eager to see you after all this time.” Edward smiled. “And we shall finally have a fourth man for bridge. Miss Hunsford is a lovely lady but helpless at the game, I’m afraid. She and Emma much prefer to talk together and take turns about the room leaving us quite out of it.”

  “I look forward to it then.”

  A quiet evening dinner did not at all sound like the kind of thing Miss Natalie would like. But it was better than nothing and perhaps she would find she enjoyed the company.

  “John,” Father warned. “You’ve brought home what appears to be a lovely girl. I appreciate this effort towards maturity and stability. But you must still prove to me that you care about running this estate.”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “And if that girl proves herself to be of an immoral character…”

  “She won’t, Father. I can promise you that.”

  John dearly hoped he wouldn’t end up eating his words.

  Chapter 19

  Natalie dressed carefully for the dinner.

  “You cannot look too pretty,” Louisa advised her.

  “And why ever not?”

  “Because you are an engaged woman now. You must not dress to flirt. You are already spoken for.”

  “Is that why you dress in such a dowdy fashion?” Natalie asked.

  Louisa looked hurt. Natalie felt guilt shoot through her. “Not that—we merely have different tastes in fashion, that’s all.”

  “I wish you would watch your tongue more often,” Louisa said quietly. “It will get you into trouble if you do not learn to keep it quiet.”

  “Have I the habit of offending people?”

  “I am shocked that you have not managed to humiliate yourself as of yet,” Louisa replied. “Now, remember to be meek at this dinner.”

  “Meek,” Natalie scoffed. “I shall be no such thing.”

  “You are meeting new people and must make a good impression. It is better to stay silent and learn about them. There will be plenty of time for you to bask in everyone’s attention later on.”

  “This dinner is already going to be boring enough, Louisa, you’ll make me not want to even attend at all.”

  “You are to be the mistress of this manor and the wife of an earl. You will not be able to get out of dinners simply because you do not expect to like the company. You have a duty now, to your husband and to others.”

  And here Natalie had always thought marriage would be fun. Something exciting. But no, apparently it was responsibility and duty and this rule and that rule and all the things she couldn’t do anymore.

  It was exceedingly frustrating.

  Still, at least there was the matchmaking to look forward to. A small, intimate dinner would be perfect for fostering feelings of romance.

  Natalie, Miss Ridgecleff, and Louisa got into one carriage while Lord Ridgecleff and his younger brother rode on their horses alongside.

  “This is rather an informal thing,” Miss Ridgecleff told them. “We are all quite comfortable with one another.”

  “Are you comfortable with Mr. Cleary?” Natalie asked.

  Louisa shot her a look of warning, but Natalie ignored it.

  “Oh, yes, quite,” Miss Ridgecleff replied. “I have known him all my life. His parents lived nearby before they died.”

  “You two must know quite a lot about one another.”

  “I should think so. He is a most engaging gentleman.”

  Natalie sat back in her seat. Miss Ridgecleff sounded happy and at ease when she spoke of this Mr. Cleary. Now Natalie just had to meet this man for herself and sound him out on his feelings towards Miss Ridgecleff.

  The Hapson house was much smaller than Mountbank, unsurprisingly, but it was a well-kept place with a charming sort of air.

  “My lord,” Mrs. Hapson said when she saw Lord Ridgecleff. “It has been far too long! I had heard you were still on the Continent! Such a pleasant surprise.”

  Mrs. Hapson was a heavyset woman with a happy if slightly pink face. She looked exactly like the sort of busybody who tried to mother everyone. Natalie could feel herself cringing and forced herself to keep a smile upon her face.

  “And who is this?” Mrs. Hapson asked, catching sight of Natalie.

  “Mrs. Hapson, this is my fiancée, Miss Natalie Hartfield,” Lord Ridgecleff said, indicating her.

  Natalie curtsied.

  “A lovely lady she is as well, you’ve done well for yourself my lord—not that I thought anything less.” Mrs. Hapson all but pounced upon her. “Tell me, my dear, where are you from? Your family? Any siblings?”

  Natalie was obliged to tell her entire life story to Mrs. Hapson by the time all was said and done. She liked the attention but found herself frustrated by the constant questions. Really, did the old lady have nothing better to do than natter on and ask Natalie about the most trivial of details?

  They were introduced to Mr. and Miss Hunsford, and Mr. Cleary. Miss Hunsford was a sweet-looking girl, but older. Probably looking at spinsterhood, Natalie thought. Mr. Hunsford was handsome enough, she supposed. He was very quiet, though, very solemn.

  Mr. Cleary was quite the gentleman. He was handsome, charming, and greeted Natalie as though they were old friends who had merely been parted for some time.

  He greeted Miss Ridgecleff with a great deal of warmth and affability. Natalie could see that the fires of affection would easily be stoked between them.

  “I am rather fearful of the look in your eyes,” Louisa said quietly.

  “Whatever for?”

  “You look as though you are scheming something,” Louisa said.

  Natalie scoffed. “I am scheming nothing.”

  “What do you think of the assembled company?” Lord Ridgecleff asked, coming up to her.

  “I think them all quite agreeable,” Natalie replied. “Mr. Cleary is a charming man and I quite like his manner, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Lord Ridgecleff looked over at Mr. Cleary, who was speaking with Miss Ridgecleff and making her laugh. “I suppose that he is. He has always had an easy way with people.”

  “Are you not close, then? Your sister told me that he grew up in this area the same as you.”

  “We have known one another almost our entire lives,” Lord Ridgecleff informed her. He looked at her, his gaze sharp, shrewd. “Why do I get the impression that you are up to something?”

  “What on earth do you mean?” Natalie asked.

  He shook his head. “I cannot put my finger on you, Miss Natalie.”

  “I should be concerned if you could, after so short a time of knowing me.”

  Lord Ridgecleff looked amused. “You certainly know how to hold your own in a conversation if you wish.”

  “I suspect that you do as well and are holding your wit in check,” Natalie replied. “I wish you would not do so. Where is the famous charm that made you so popular on the Continent?”

  Lord Ridgecleff actually smiled at her. “Perhaps I fear you would not be able to handle it.”

  “I am to be your wife, surely I shall have time to build up an immunity.”

  Lord Ridgecleff’s jaw tightened, as though he was trying not to laugh. She was reminded of how attractive he was when he was not being so stern. Natalie could only hope that this was a good sign—that they could, indeed, learn to have fun together.

  Mrs. Hapson called for them all t
o go into dinner. Natalie was obliged to sit next to Lord Ridgecleff but managed to get herself seated directly across from Mr. Cleary.

  It was perfect. Now she could ask Mr. Cleary about himself and stir his feelings concerning Miss Ridgecleff.

  “You have grown up in the area, Mr. Cleary?” Natalie asked.

  “Yes, quite so,” the gentleman replied. “I should be happy to show you around the area if you would like. I’m certain that Lord Ridgecleff must be busy.”

  “A man should never be too busy for his wife,” Lord Ridgecleff replied.

  Natalie was surprised at the note of possession in Lord Ridgecleff’s voice. One might almost say that he was jealous or territorial. It surprised her, especially directed towards a man that Lord Ridgecleff had known nearly all of his life.

  She had not labeled her fiancé as the jealous type. She hoped that he would not object to her speaking with men. If so they were likely to have a very unhappy marriage.

  “Miss Ridgecleff looks rather pretty tonight, does she not?” Natalie offered up instead. Hopefully this would draw Mr. Cleary’s thoughts down the proper path and distract from whatever that outburst from Lord Ridgecleff had been.

  Mr. Cleary looked over at Miss Ridgecleff. She was indeed wearing a lovely pale blue dress that complemented her eyes and rather pale, almost white hair.

  “Yes, I dare say she does,” Mr. Cleary said. “She has always been a fine-looking young woman.”

  “I think that truly fine-looking women are so rare nowadays,” Natalie said. “We hear all of these stories about great beauties who started wars. And yet I have met so few who can truly be called beautiful.”

  “I should say that you fall under that category, Miss Natalie,” Mr. Cleary replied.

  Natalie laughed. “Oh, you must not flatter me. I know where I stand. You must not think that I am fishing for a compliment. I meant only that Miss Ridgecleff is one such person that I might declare to have true beauty.”

  Louisa shot Natalie a warning look. She could almost read her sister’s thoughts as if she’d said them aloud. You’re being too obvious, Louisa’s look seemed to say.

  Natalie ignored her. Louisa would have to eat her words when they were all congratulating Mr. Cleary and Miss Ridgecleff on their engagement.

  The dinner progressed nicely. Mrs. Hapson was a rather dull lady and talked altogether too much in Natalie’s opinion. Mr. Hunsford and his sister were both nice people. Natalie found them a bit quiet for her tastes but otherwise there was nothing to be found against them.

  Mr. Cleary was quite the charming conversationalist. If women were allowed to propose in the place of men, Natalie was certain that he should already have received several offers of marriage.

  He complimented Miss Ridgecleff well, in Natalie’s opinion. Miss Ridgecleff was a sweet and cheerful girl but on the quieter side. Her enthusiasm came in being around the presence of others and listening to them.

  Mr. Cleary, on the other hand, seemed to delight in the sharing of witticisms and amusing stories. With an eager wife to listen to him, he would be well set. And Miss Ridgecleff would find herself well entertained by her husband.

  Natalie did her best to compliment one or the other whenever speaking to the opposite member.

  By the time that dinner ended and Mrs. Hapson suggested they retire for a game of cards, Natalie was certain that she had planted and nourished the idea of romance in each person’s mind.

  The gentlemen were to start a game of bridge, and so the ladies started their own. Mrs. Hapson was an avid player and so Miss Hunsford begged off, instead procuring a book from the library.

  “I must say that it is wonderful to see Lord Ridgecleff engaged to such a lady as yourself,” Mrs. Hapson said.

  “You needn’t flatter her so,” Miss Ridgecleff said, laughing. “I’m sure that Miss Natalie has heard compliments enough already.”

  “I confess I am surprised that I am the only young lady here to be engaged,” Natalie said, seizing another opportunity.

  “Yes, unfortunate about Miss Hunsford,” Mrs. Hapson said, lowering her voice so that the lady in question might not overhear.

  “And what of yourself?” Natalie asked Miss Ridgecleff. “You cannot have been devoid of offers.”

  “I have entertained hopes,” Miss Ridgecleff said, “but I’m afraid that is all they have been.”

  “We have all had hopes,” Mrs. Hapson said. “I was certain at least three times that I should be proposed to before my dear departed Thomas came along.”

  “You and your husband were of a complimentary character, then?” Louisa asked.

  Natalie did not want to sit through the yammering of an old woman about her dead husband. But Louisa was always being polite that way.

  “Oh, yes, he was a wonderful man,” Mrs. Hapson said. “You know, I think that we rather underestimate the quiet men. Young ladies always look to the witty men with their charm. But it’s men like Thomas who carry the day in the end.

  “You know of what I speak, Miss Natalie. Lord Ridgecleff is rather the same. It has been my distinct pleasure to watch him grow up. We were all quite surprised when he all but fled to the Continent.”

  “Father and my elder brother have had their differences,” Miss Ridgecleff said quickly, “but it is all mended now.”

  “As it should be.” Mrs. Hapson nodded. “But as I was saying, he was always very charismatic in that quiet sort of way. Of course it helps that he’s handsome.

  “But a man like that is one that you know that you can depend upon, Miss Natalie. I’ve found the charming ones can turn on you at the drop of a hatpin. A man such as Lord Ridgecleff will be a rock to cling to.”

  “Mrs. Hapson, really, is such discussion appropriate?” Miss Ridgecleff asked.

  “I’m merely congratulating the girl,” Mrs. Hapson replied jovially. “I think that it’s well done of her. Most women pass over the men that it takes more time to get to know. She’ll find more depth to him than others we might speak on.”

  “I am glad to hear him spoken of so highly,” Natalie said, trying to smooth things over. “There are those poor girls who get engaged and then nobody has the courage to tell them they are making a poor decision. The only clue is the lack of compliments to her on her choice.”

  “That is sadly true,” Mrs. Hapson said.

  From there the talk turned more to other matters. Natalie was quite determined to start up a tradition of balls in some form or another. Mrs. Hapson seemed eager at the idea, as did Miss Ridgecleff.

  Natalie could feel her sister’s disapproval all throughout the night. On their way home, in the carriage, she wanted to ask her about it. But Miss Ridgecleff was there as well and so Natalie was obliged to wait until they were in their rooms.

  “I wish you would be more careful in your manner, that is all,” Louisa said.

  “How can I be more careful if you will not tell me what to be careful of?” Natalie replied. “You were sitting there most disapprovingly all night and yet you will not tell me why. It is most unfair.”

  “I’m sure you will have an awakening as to why soon enough,” was Louisa’s cryptic reply.

  Chapter 20

  John was well aware that he was not the sort of man that Miss Natalie wished for in a husband.

  Indeed, if he had to pick any kind of man that would best suit Miss Natalie according to her own desires, he would pick Mr. Cleary.

  John had known James Cleary for well over a decade. Cleary had always been the sort of man who could win friends anywhere and easily.

  Whether he was capable of keeping them was less certain.

  But that had never been for John to judge. He’d had his own share of flirtations over on the Continent. Although he liked to think that he had never engaged in behavior as questionable as Cleary’s.

  Still, Cleary could do what he liked. John bore no grudge against him.

  Until now.

  Sitting and playing bridge across the room from the ladies, John
found it hard to reign in his temper.

  He was surprised at himself, at his own possessiveness. He hardly knew Miss Natalie and one could not even say that he liked her.

  Yes, she was witty and he rather enjoyed it when she teased him, flirted with him. He could not help but be amused by her and tease her back.

  She was a lively thing. He only wished that she genuinely cared for him.

  Blast it, his own feelings concerning Miss Natalie were difficult enough to sort out without Mr. Cleary all but barging in on it.

  All through dinner Cleary had been taking an unusually strong interest in Miss Natalie. Of course one could write it off as genuine and innocent interest. Miss Natalie was the only new member of the dinner group.

  However, John couldn’t quite get rid of his concerned thoughts. Mr. Cleary was behaving most forwardly with Miss Natalie, acting towards her as he would towards an unmarried or unengaged lady.

  Perhaps John was merely being paranoid. Perhaps he was overthinking things.

  Still, he could not help the anger he felt at how Miss Natalie constantly engaged Mr. Cleary in conversation. Nor did he think he was overreacting in being upset when she constantly brought up Emma to Mr. Cleary.

  Emma had long harbored feelings for Mr. Hunsford, as she had disclosed to her brother in a private letter some months ago.

  John had not met Mr. Hunsford at the time for he and his sister had moved into the area after John had already left for Europe. However, the description of the gentleman from Edward was encouraging.

  Unfortunately, from what Emma was able to discern, Mr. Hunsford was hesitant to marry until his sister did. He was painfully aware that her position as head of his household would be relinquished to whomever he married, leaving her without even a sense of usefulness to stave off her growing fears of spinsterhood.

  Mr. Hunsford was younger than his sister by a few years and men had more time in which to marry anyhow. If he wished to give his sister a few more years to feel the joy of being in charge of the household, then he had that luxury.

  Emma, however, could not wait around for another three or four years until Miss Hunsford had either finally been proposed to or had accepted her spinsterhood. She had also admitted in her letters that Mr. Hunsford was a reserved gentleman and she had no guarantee that he even held any such tender affections for her the way that she had for him.